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| The Falconer in Central Park |
I am a country girl.
I do not like cities
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| The High Line Trail |
—the crowds of people
—the pavement everywhere
—the noise, noise, noise!
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| Magnolia Warbler in Central Park's Ramble |
But then I went to Central Park and saw the warblers there,
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| White-crowned Sparrow, Central Park |
Then I went to Inwood Hill and heard the wood thrush sing,
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| Looking for birds at Inwood Hills Park 2009 |
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| Inwood Hills woodlands |
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| Baltimore Oriole at Inwood Hills 2009 |
Then I went to Prospect Park and wandered wooded trails
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| Downy Woodpecker at Prospect Park |
‘til we came to a tree-lined clearing with mergansers in the
pond,
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| Red-breasted Merganser at Prospect Park |
Then I went to Green-Wood Cemetery where swallows swooped
the lawn.
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| Entrance to Green Wood Cemetery |
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| Green Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY 2012 |
Then I sat near opened window on the upper west side
and saw blue jays in the tree tops right on the street where
I stayed!
Then I walked the High Line Trail and saw a peregrine.
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| High Line Trail NYC 2009 |
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| High Line Trail |
Then I changed my mind and knew I could honestly say:
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| Wood Thrush in Central Park 2012 |
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| American Robin in Central Park 2012 |
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| Female Brown-headed Cowbird in Central Park 2011 |
I Love these birds!
I Love these parks!
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| High Line Trail |
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| Inwood Hill |
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| Central Park |
I Love New York!
~Kathie Adams Brown (May
30, 2013)
The truth is, I did use to hate New York, but then my youngest brother changed my mind. Of course he took me to art galleries, cafes, and plays, but then he took me birding. That is when I discovered what so many birders already know: New York City is a great place to bird. The various parks around the city become bird magnets and the birds and the people seem to coexist peacefully for the most part. The funny thing is, I discovered that I could be in the middle of Central Park with people all around and still feel like I was alone in nature. So it is that I will be returning to New York City again this summer. And though it will only be for a few days, who knows what I will see this time! That is the fun of birding in New York. Just like everything else, there is so much to see and so many places to go birding. I discovered that even in the city Birding can be Fun!
Links to Birding in NYC (all of these are eBird Hotspots as well):
- High Line Trail
- Inwood Hill
- Birding Central Park NYC Audubon
- Central Park Conservancy-Birding
- Green-Wood Cemetery
- Brooklyn Bird Club Green Wood Cemetery and other birding sites
Additional Links to some of my blogposts:
I'm glad to know there is good birding even in a place like NYC. I would hate living in a city that large. Don't even desire to visit it, but it's good to see the birds. Great post!
ReplyDeleteMary, it really is a nice place to visit and I love all the birds!
DeleteIt is great to know that NYC is a wonderful place to do some birding. I enjoyed this post and your photos. The last shot is my favorite, you do love NYC!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen. It is from a couple of years ago but I still feel the same way!
DeleteThat wood thrush is really cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna! It is a sweet bird!
DeleteGreat post and photos, Kathie! Makes me want to visit NYC again. I used to live on Manhattan when I first came to this country but wasn't into birding then. Your post makes me realize how much I missed!
ReplyDeleteHilke, there is so much to see there now. what a great place!
DeleteIt looks wonderful. I went through New York once. We got off of our bus and I got back on again. Too many people and too much traffic. Not my thing and it was ugly. I have no desire returning there again. However, I'm so glad you focused on the positive beautiful side to this city. I could be persuaded to go with a birder friend:) Love that first shot. Falconer indeed!!!
ReplyDeleteChris, of course there is concrete and noise in the city as well as trash on the sidewalks, but in the parks nature abounds and coexists with the city. It is amazing how the birds have adapted to city life! Central Park is a true gem!
DeleteSuper post Kathie and a plethora of birds from NYC.
ReplyDeleteFrank, you are so right!
DeleteAfter reading this enthusiastic post, I can see why you love birding in New York. It does seem odd that so many beautiful birds would be attracted to such a congested, highly populated city but we have the same situation here in Chicago. I truly enjoyed viewing your wonderful photographs, Kathie! Especially the lovely Wood Thrush.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I was thrilled when that wood thrush walked out right in front of me. they seem to have no fear there and I believe it is because no one bothers them! I am so glad you enjoyed this post!
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